Voting-machine.



PATENTED OCT. 27, 1903.

A. P. BARDWELL;

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1902.

5 SHEETS-41113311 1.

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PATBNTED OCT. 27, 1903.

A. F. BARDWELL.

VOTING MACHINE. ABPLIOATION FILED NOV. 21, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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No. 742,273. Q PATENTED 00127, 1903. A. F. BARDWBLL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1902.

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No. 742,273. PATENTBD 001 27, 1903. A. F. BARDWELL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1002.

N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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; UNITED STATES Patented October 27, 1903.

PATENT OEETCE.

ARTHUR ERANCiS BARDWELL, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To FREDERICK ALBERT BARDWELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 742,273, dated October 27, 1903. Application filed November 21, 1902. Serial No. 132,349. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR FRANCIS BARD- WELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates generally to improvements in registering-machines, and particularly to that class of registering-machines the purpose of which is to register votes.

.One object of my invention is to provide a x 5 detachable Support for the registers by which the registers may as a body-that is, as one register-be disengaged from the operating devices and detached from the machineframe. hen so detached, the registers on their support maybe stored away, yet be readily accessible as a record of the election returns until again needed for use. This object is accomplished in the construction hereinafter described by mounting the registers 75 upon a framework which is detachably secured to the machine-frame. By this arrangement of parts the registers themselves are independently mounted and supported by parts separate and distinct from those upon 0 which the operating devices are mounted and supported. Therefore the registers may be detached from the machine as a body (as one register) without necessitating any interference with or disturbance of the operating 5 parts or the dismantling of the machine. Several advantages result from this construction, among which may be named the following: (a) Portability is given the registers so that-they may, mounted on their support, be 0 taken in a suitable carrying-case to headquarters f rom the various precincts and there inspected by those high in authority. (1)) The registers from the several precincts may all be photographed at one central station and a photographic record of the election returns secured. Thus all necessity for removing the machines themselves to a central station or headquarters or for going to each precinct to take the photograph is obviated. (c) The registers on their supports may be stored on racks or shelves in small space and in form easily accessible for inspection, verification, or like purpose, and (d) ready access may be obtained to parts normally eoncealed by the registers by removing them on their supports as one entity.

Another object of my invention is to provide mechanism whereby the registers may all be locked and sealed upon their support prior to and during their disengagement from their operating devices. By this loekin g and sealing any manipulation of or tampering with the registers may be prevented. Again, if at any time during the progress of an election it becomes desirable to gain access to parts normally concealed by the registers the registers may be locked and sealed as one register upon their support and removed, so as to disclose the operating parts to view for examination and adjustment. Hence while the inspection of the operating parts is proceeded with the registers are securely locked and sealed against actuation. After the inspection is concluded the registers may be readily replaced as one register in engagement with their operating devices, unsealed and unlocked, and the election proceeded with. Further, at the beginning of an election the registers may be kept locked and sealed until the very minute when the polls are to open, and thus any actuation of the registers prior to that time is prevented. Hence those on guard will be required to watch only the seal, assured that so long as that remains unbroken the registers cannot be actuated.

Other features of my invention will be pointed out in the description which follows.

In the drawings which illustrate the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of applying that principle, Figure 1 is a perspective of the .rear of my new voting-machine, one of the register-car riers being shown swung open and the other of said register-carriers being shown in position ready for the operation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my new votingmachine,parts being shown removed for clearness. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of my new voting-machine, one of the register-carriers being shown removed. Fig. 4 shows one of my new register-earners in rear elevation.

Fig. 5 is an under plan view of what is shown in Fig. & looking in the direction of the arrow A. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of what is shown in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow B. Fig. 7 is a sectional view 011 line C G of Fig. 4:. Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectional View through one of the registers shown in Fig. 4:. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are details of the register-locking mechanism hereinafter referred to. Figs. 12, 13, and 14- are details of the register-actuator. Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are details illustrating the devices for supporting and locking the register-carrier in position. Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating the carrier bracket upon which is rotatably mounted the register-carrier. Fig. 20 is a top plan view of what is shown in Fig. 1.). Fig. 21 is a sectional view on'line F F of Fig. 10. Fig. 22 is a detail illustrating one of the lock ing-clips which hold the upper side of the register-carrierin operative position, and Fig. 23 is a sectional view on line G G of Fig. 22.

The registers 1 are all mounted upon a framework (or register carrier) made up of two parts, each of which is secured to a swinging carrier-bracket 9, hinged to the ma ehine-frame. This framework or carrier for the register is built up of vertical and horizontal angle irons riveted together, as shown in Figs. 4- and 5. The topmost horizontal angle-iron m is separated slightly from its adjacent angle -iron 17, and similarly the lowermost horizontal angle-iron 0 is separated slightly from its adjacent angle-iron p. A web (1 runs transversely across the machine, near the bottom thereof, and is secured to the sides thereof, so as practically to form a part of the machine-frame, Figs. 3 and 15. To this web q are secured brackets, (shown in sectional elevation in Fig. 15 and in plan in Fig. 16,) the free end of each of which is formed with a hole 5, adapted to receive a keypin 1. The horizontal angle-irons 0 and 2) are also provided with holes adapted to register with the hole 8 when the framework or register support or carrier 8 is swung to bring the registers 1 into engagement with the registeractuators '11,, mounted in the section-platcs r, and the registers 1 are held in engagement with their actuators 1/. by passing the keypiu t through the holes in the angle-irons and the brackets, as shown in Fig. 17. A sealing-pin may be passed through the hole in the end of the key-pins t, and thereby seal the register support or carrier 8 in position. In the preferred constructionherein shown the registercarriers 8 (or framework to which the registers are secured) are rotatably mounted on the carrier-brackets fl, hinged to the machineframe; but these register-carriers b may be secured in any other suitable manner and the carrier-brackets 9 may be dispensed with without departing from my invention.

()ne of the carrier-brackets 9 is shown in detail in Figs. 19, 20, and 21 and in Figs. 1 and 3 is shown hinged to the machine-frame at w and :17. The two carrier-brackcts 9 are identical in construction, and therefore a description of one will serve as a description of both. The U-shapcd member 11 is riveted to the vertical member and to the upper and lower horizontal members 1. and 2, respectively. Between each of the horizontal members 1 and 2 and the adjacent arm of the U- shaped member 1 is left a narrow space, within which is slidabl y, and therefore ad j ustably, mounted near the free end of said arm a pintle-support 3, which carries at its outer end a pintle 4. Midway of their length and between the upper horizontal angle-irons m and n of each register-carrier 8, Figs. 3, 5, and 7, is riveted ahinge-lug5, withaholeti, adapted to receive the pintle 4:. A similar hinge-lug '7 is riveted between the lower horizontal angle-irons o andp of each register-carrier 8 and is similarly formed with a hole adapted to receive the lower pintle. By engaging the pintles in the holes in the hinge-lugs the register-carriers 8 may be rotatably mounted on their carrier brackets 9, so as to permit the register-carriers 8 to be turned through substantially one hundred and eighty degrees, and therefore to present either face of the registencarrier 8 at will.

As above described, when the register-carriers 8 are in operative position-that is, in such a position that each register-driving shaft 10, Fig. 8, is engaged with its actuator uthe free ends of the bracket 1' on the machine-frame engage between the lower horizontal angle-irons 0 and p of the register-carriers S and support and position vertically said carriers 8. The key-pins t secure the lower side of the register-carriers 8 in operative position, while the upper sides of said carriers are held in operative position by the locking-clips 1.2. (Shown in lE-igs. 22, and 23.) Extending from top to bottom of each section-plate v alongits middle line is a strip 10, secured thereto by screws, as shown, and in this strip 10 are journaled the rearends 11 of the actuators u of that section, Figs. 23 and 13. On the upper end of several of these strips 10, and preferably adjacent to the upper corners of both register-carriers 8, are slidably secured the locking-clips 12, which when the register-carriers S are in operative position are pushed down, so that their lower ends engage over the vertical flange of the angle-irons on. These clips 12 therefore cooperate with the key-pins t to hold the registers on their carriers 8 in operative engage ment with their respective actuators 1/.

To guard against any unauthorized actuation of the registers while the register-carriers are detached from the machine, the following provision is made: From side to side of the register-carriers S extend horizontal strips 13, Fig. 5, and to these horizoutalmembers of each register-carrier 8 are screwed vertical register-locking slides 14-, formed with keyhole-shaped apertures 1 The driving-shaft 16 of each register 1, Figs. 8 and 9, projects beyond the inner face of the regis ter, and its projecting end 123 is polygonal in transverse section. This polygonal end is adapted to engage in a socket 122 of similar section in the inner end 11 of the actuator u, Figs. 12 and 13. Between a disk 19 and the inner face-plate of the register 1 is mounted fast upon the driving-shaft 16 a collar 18, formed with two flat sides, as is clearly shown in Figs. and 11. A sealing-pin 20, formed with a head at one end and adapted to be flattened by compression at its other end to form a seal, is passed through the hole 21 in the register-driving shaft 16. In the register-locking slides 14, as above stated, are formed apertures 15, one for each register, and through each of said apertures 15 pro jects a driving-shaft 16 of a register. When the register-locking slides 11 are in their lowered or unlocking position, the enlarged portion of the aperture 15 is concentric with the register-driving shaft 16, and hence the said shaft and its collar are free to rotate within said aperture 15; but when the register-locking slides 1 1 are in their raised or locking position the walls of the narrow portion of the aperture 15 embrace the flat sides of the collar 18, and thereby prevent its rotation and that of the driving-shaft 16 of the register 1.

To reciprocate the register-locking slides 14, and thereby to lock and release the driving-shafts of the registers, a horizontal slide 22, formed with inclined slots 2;} and horizontal slots 2%, is provided. Through the horizontal slots 21 pass screws that secure the slide 22 to the register-carrier 8, while through the inclined slots 23 project screwstuds from the lower ends of the registerlocking slides 11. From this construction and arrangement of parts it is obvious that reciprocation of the horizontal slide will cause the reciprocation of the system of vertical locking-slides 14:, connected with it, and so the locking or releasing simultaneously or as one registerof all the registers mounted upon the carrier 8, to which said slide 22 is secured.

The ends of the horizontal slides are bent at right angles to .its body portion to form cars 25. Projecting inwardly from each lower corner of the register-carrier S is a stud 26, adapted to enter a hole 27 in the opposed car 25 of the slide 22. When the horizontal slide 22 is moved to lock or to release the driving-shafts of the registers, as described above, one of the studs 26 enters the hole 27 in the opposed ear 25, near the close of the said movement of the slide 22, which may then be sealed in this position by passing through the hole 28 in the stud 26 a'sealing-pin 20, above described, and then flattening its small end to form a seal, as previously described.

In securing the registers 1 upon the register-carrier S, the disk 19 upon the registerdriving shaft 16 plays an import-ant part. This disk is larger in diameter than the apertures 15 in the lockin -slides 11-. The drivingshaft 16 of the register projects through the aperture 15, as previously described, and upon the projecting end is placed the disk 19, after which a sealing-pin similar to the seal ing-pin is then passed through a hole in the projecting end of the driving shaft 16. The end of the sealing-pin 20 is next flattened, thereby securing the registers 1 upon the carrier 8 and sealing them thereon. lVhen the register carrier 8 is mounted upon the machine-frame and the registers are in engagement with theiractuators a, both the sealingpin and the disk 19 are inaccessible. Even, therefore, if the securing-screws which hold the registers upon their carrier are loosened or removed it is still impossible to remove the register, for the disk and the sealing-pin will hold the register upon the carrier. In any case the removal of the register would be indicated by the breaking of the sealing-pin.

In Fig. 2 is shown the indicator-plate 120, the symbol upon which is in part always visi ble through a hole in the front casing of the machine. This indicator-plate is not connected with the registers in any manner, but is secured to the twin cared slide 75, which is raised by turning the actuator to forward. The machine is assembled for an election as follows: The machine-frame is designed to serve as a support at all times for the operating parts of the machine; but in the interim between elections the registers 1, upon their carriers 8, are preferably stored in suitable carrying-cases 130 or on shelves at municipal headquarters. In assembling the machine the register-carriers S are mounted upon their carrier-brackets 9 by engaging the holes in the lugs 5 upon the pintles The registers are all then set at zero and locked in this position by moving the slide 22 to the left in Fig. 4. In this position the slide 22 is sealed by passing a sealing-pin (similar to the sealing-pin 20) through the hole 29 in the stud and ilattening the small end, as described. The registers themselves are, it will be remembered, sealed on the carrier 8 by the disk 19 and its cooperating scaling-pin. To engage the registers 1 with their actuators 'u, the carrierbrackets 9 are swung inwardly until the proj ecting ends of the brackets 0', Figs. 15 and 16, enter between the lower horizontal an gle-irons 0 and p of the register-carrier 8. These brackets serve to take the weight of the register carriers 8 and to adjust them vertically, so as to bring the polygonal ends 123 of the drivingshafts 16 of the registers 1, Fig. 8, in the same horizontalplanewith the socket 122 in the opposed end 11 of the cooperating actuator u, Figs. 12 and 1 3. If any adjustment be now found necessary to bring said end into the same vertical plane with its corresponding socket 122, such adjustment may be made by loosening the screws137 andmoving the pintlesupports 3, Fig. 19, in the proper direction. Having by these means brought the squared ends 123 of the driving-shaft 16 of each register into line with the socket 122 in the opposed ends of the actuators u, the registercarrier 8 is moved inwardly until the shafts 1G engage in said sockets 122. The key-pins t are then passed through the holes in the angle-irons and p and the brackets 0', Fig. 17 and the lockingclips 12 are pushed downward, thereby securing the register-carrier to the machine-frame and the registers 1 in engagement with their actuators a. The registers are then looked against actuation by unsealing and moving the slide 22 to the right in Fig. 4, in which position the slide 22 may be sealed in the manner described. By passing a sealing pin through the holes in the ends of the key-pins t the carrier 8 may be sealed in position, the small end of the sealing-pin being flattened after its insertion through the hole in the manner described. The machine is now ready for operation.

XVhen the election is over and the polls are closed, the proper officials break the seals which secure the key-pins t in the holes The keypins t are then removed and the locking-clips 12 are pushed upward, thus permitting the register-carriers S to be swung out of engagement with the machine-frame and the registers 1 themselves out of engagement with their actuators u. The seal which secures the slide 22 in its unlocking position is then broken by the proper officials, and the said slide is moved so as to lock the registers in situ upon the carrier 8. p The slide 22 is then sealed in its locking position. The carrier 8 is then removed from its carrier-bracket 9 and placed in a suitable carrying-case 130 and carried to municipal headquarters.

So far as known to me I am the first to provide an independent carrier for the counting mechanisms,said carrier having its own means of locking and unlocking the said mechanisms in situ thereon entirely apart and separate from their actuators. Heretofore the counting mechanisms have been mounted upon a common support with the operating devices, and in constructions heretofore made it has been impossible to take the counting mechanisms from the machine simultaneously or as a single mechanism and apart from their actuating devices.

It is obvious that the construction herein described may be varied without departing from my invention. The construction herein described is the preferred form (one form) in which I have contemplated embodying my invention; but many of the parts thereof may be dispensed with. without departingfrom my invention. For example, the carrier-brackets 9 need not be used, in which case the registercarriers 8 would be secured directly to the machine-frame without the use of the convenient support furnished by said carrierbracket. Other changes will readily suggest themselves to all those skilled in the art. Therefore I desire not to be limited to the exact construction herein described, but do desire to be understood as claiming my inivention in the broadest legally-permissible manner.

hat I claim is 1. The combination in a voting-machine ol' amachine-frame devices for operatinga plurality of counting mechanisms, all said devices being mounted in said machine-frame a carrier common to said counting meehanisms and attachable to and detachable from said machine-frame, said counting mechanisms mounted upon said carrier.

2. In a voting-machine, the combination with the machine-frame and register-operating devices, all said operating devices being carried by said machine-frame, of a plurality of registers mounted upon a carrier separate from said machine-frame and operating devices; and said carrier attachable to and detachable from said machine-frame.

3. Avoting-machine made up of a machine frame; operating devices mounted therein; said devices being directly engaged with the registers when in operative relation therewith a carrier for the registers by which said registers may be engaged with and disengaged from their operating devices simultaneously oras oneregister; and said registersmountml upon said carrier.

at. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; and directly engaged with the registers when in operative relation therewith; devices mounted therein. for limiting the operation of said register-actuators;

a carrier separate from said machine-frame but freely attachable thereto and detachable therefrom to bring a plurality of registers mounted on said carrier into and out of engagement each with its corresponding register-actuator and all as one register; and said registers mounted upon said carrier.

5. The combination in a voting-machine with a machine-frame and aplurality of votin mechanisms including limiting devices there for, all said mechanisms and devices being mounted in said frame; of a carricrsepmable from said voting mechanisms; at pluralityof 'registers mounted on said carrier; and looking means separate from said limiting devices for locking said registers against actuation.

6. In a voting-machine the combination with a machine-frame and operating devices all said devices being mounted therein; of a plurality of counting mechanisms adapted to be thrown into and out of operative relation to and with said devices; and means by which said counting mechanisms are freely thrown into and out of said operative relation, said means being separable from said operating devices.

7 In a voting-machine the combination mounted free to move thereon; a carrier rotatively secured therein; and a plurality of registers mounted on said carrier.

with a machine-frame; of a carrier-bracket 8. In a voting-machine, the combination with a machine-frame and operating devices mounted therein; of a carrier-bracket attachable to and detachable from said machine frame; a carrier mounted therein; and a plurality of registers mounted on said carrier.

9. In a voting-machine, the combination with a machine-frame and operating devices mounted therein; of a carrier-bracket hinged to said machine-frame; a carrier separable from said operating devices and secured free to rotate in said carrier-bracket; and a plurality of registers mounted on said carrier.

10. In a voting-machine the combination with a plurality of voting mechanisms; of a carrier-bracket; a carrier separable from said voting mechanisms and adjustably secured in said bracket; a plurality of counting mechanisms mounted 011 said carrier; and means for adjusting said carrier on said bracket to aline said voting mechanisms and said counting mechanisms.

11. I11 a voting-machine,the combination of a plurality of voting mechanisms; a plurality of counting mechanisms; mounted upon a carrier separable from said voting mechanisms, said carrier upon which none of said voting mechanisms are mounted; and means for locking said counting mechanism simultaneously upon said carrier.

12. In a voting-machine, the combination with a machine-frame; of a carrier freely attachable to and detachable from said machineframe; a plurality of registers mounted thereon; and means independent of said machineframe and mounted upon said carrier for engaging and thereby locking said registers; and detachment of said carrier to and from said machine-frame.

13. The combination in avoting-machine with a machine-frame and a plurality of voting mechanisms mounted therein; of a carrier separable from said voting mechanisms; a plurality of registers mounted on said carrier; means which are mounted on said carrier and are movable into and out of locking engagement with said registers; and mechanism independent of said machine frame for actuating said means.

14. In a voting-machine, the combination with a machine-frame, of a carrier for the registers; said registers mounted upon said carrier; means which are movable into and out of locking engagement with said registers; mechanism mounted on said carrier and independent of said machine-frame for moving said means into and out of said engagement with said registers; and a locking device for said mechanism.

1 5. In a voting-machine, the combination of a carrier for the registers; said registers mounted upon said carrier; a plurality of locking-slides adapted to engage the drivingshafts of said registers; said driving-shafts; and a slide mounted upon said carrier for so moving said locking-slides into and out of engagement with said driving-shafts.

16. In a voting-macl1inc,the combination of a carrier for the registers; said registers mounted upon said carrier; a plurality of locking-slides adapted to engage the drivingshaits of the registers; said driving-shafts; a slide mounted upon said carrier for moving said locking-slide into and out of engagement with said driving-shafts; and means for lockin g said last-named slide at the completion of its movement.

17 In a votingmachine, the combination of a carrier upon which the counting mechanisms are mounted separate from their actuatin g devices; said counting mechanisms; said actuating devices all of which are mounted upon a machine-frame; said machine-frame; and means for simultaneously locking said counting mechanisms in situ upon the said carrier.

18. In combination with a registeractuator, an indicator device adapted to be moved by said register-actuator; said device being marked with a symbol part of which is in all positions of the device visible through a hole in the machinecasing; and said machinecasing formed with said hole.

19. A register-locking device made up of a collar formed with flattened sides; a driving-shaft upon which said collar is fast; and a slide formed with an aperture within the enlarged end of which said collar is free to rotate and the walls of the narrow end of which are adapted to engage said flattened sides.

20. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of registers, each made up of an outer and an inner face-plate, a series of counting mechanisms and a driving-shaft which projects beyond said inner face-plate of a carrier upon which said registers are mounted and through holes in which said driving-shafts project; disks larger thansaid holes and secured one upon each of said driving-shafts; and means for sealing said disks 011 said shafts whereby it is impossible to remove said registers from said carrier without breaking said sealing means.

21. Ina voting-machine,the combination of a carrier upon which the registers are mounted; said registers; a slide adapted to engage the flattened sides of the driving-shafts of said registers and thereby to lock said drivingshafts against rotation; and said drivingshafts formed with flattened sides.

22. In a voting-machine, the combination with the machine-frame and register-actuating devices all of which are mounted thercin; of acarrier upon which the counting mechanisms are mounted; said counting mechanisms; and means by which said car rier is sealed upon said machine-frame to se cure the counting mechanisms in engagement with said devices.

In a voting-machine, the combination, with a machine-frame and devices for operating the counting mechanisms, all of said devices being mounted in said frame, of a car rier for the counting mechanisms; said counting mechanisms mounted upon said carrier; and means by which said counting mechanisms are sealed upon said carrier.

In a voting machine,the combination of a carrier upon which the counting mechanisms are mounted said counting mechanisms; means for locking said counting mechanisms in $112511. upon said carrier; and means for sealing said locking means with a machineframe from which said carrier is freely detacl1- able; and actuating devices for said counting mechanisms, all said devices being mounted upon said 1naehine-frame.

25. The combination in a voting-1n achine of a plurality of voting mechanisms with a plu- ARTHUR FRANCIS BARDWELL.

Witnesses:

A. J. Wnnvsmnm, .IAMEs HAnILToN. 

